To request this information in another language or format, please contact [email protected]. Si aad u codsato foomkan oo qaab ama luqad kale ah, fadlan la xiriir [email protected].

"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.” — Marianne Williamson 

As spring fully awakens in May, so does neighborhood life! This month, you can plant trees with your neighbors (sign up here), run for the Elliot Park neighborhood Board (apply here), participate in the EPNI Annual Social & Election (RSVP here), and so much more . . .

(SO much, in fact, it barely fits in this newsletter! So please do click on the "..." or the "Message clipped - View entire message" to get ALL the Elliot Park news!)

EPNI May Calendar

To request interpreting services or accommodations for these events, please contact [email protected]. Si aad u codsato turjubaan ama waafajin, fadlan la xiriir [email protected].

Wednesday, May 8th - FREE Community Coffee with the Elliot Park Coalition
9:00-10:30am • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave.

ALL are welcome to join the first in a summer series of biweekly Wednesday morning community coffee hours at Elliot Park, to enjoy coffee, treats & community with your neighbors.

At the May 8th coffee hour, you can learn more about the work of the Elliot Park Coalition, a new group of neighborhood organizations who have been meeting for the past six months to explore and implement new ways to strengthen positive connection and activity as a way to improve safety in the neighborhood.

Wednesday, May 8th - Neighborhood Vitality & Land Use Joint Committees Meeting
6:30-8:00pm • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave., or participate via Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84231574529 

Please note the date change: Starting Wednesday, May 8th, the joint committee meeting will be moved to the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6:30pm-8:00pm.

ALL are welcome to join the now jointly meeting EPNI Neighborhood Vitality & Land Use Committees, to bring your ideas and and connect with your neighbors. This new joint committee structure creates your "one-stop shop" for Elliot Park Neighborhood involvement with new and ongoing neighborhood projects in service to our shared Elliot Park community. At the May 8th meeting:

- The Neighborhood Vitality Committee will review updates for upcoming spring neighborhood events and continue overall 2024 project priorities planning, including launching sign-ups for resident-led neighborhood walks & clean-ups, and development of a possible community capacity-building & neighborhood transformative justice learning group.  

- The Land Use & Transportation Committee will review current Elliot Park infrastructure and transportation projects and share input as the LUT Committee continues to shape its 2024 priorities around neighborhood developments and infrastructure projects, housing and tenant needs and issues, and transportation issues, like pedestrian safety.

Bring your voice -- ALL are welcome! Questions or want to learn more? Contact [email protected] or call/text (612) 234-2280. See you there!

THREE Chances to Plant Trees With Your Neighbors in Elliot Park in May  (UPDATED dates after rain delay! See below EPNI Updates for project & event details):

• Friday, May 10th - Elliot Park Canopy Project: Arbor Day - MORNING Tree Planting- Sign Up HERE!  (RESCHEDULED from 4/26.)

9:00am-12:00pm (followed by free volunteer lunch at noon!) • At Franklin Steele Park, 1600 S. Portland Ave.   

• Friday, May 10th -Elliot Park Canopy Project: Arbor Day - AFTERNOON Tree Planting- Sign Up HERE!  (RESCHEDULED from Fri. 4/26.) 

1:00pm-4:00pm (following free volunteer lunch at noon!) • At Franklin Steele Park, 1600 S. Portland Ave.

• Saturday, May 11th - Elliot Park Canopy Project: Neighborhood Day Celebration & Tree Planting - Sign Up HERE!     

9:00am-12:00pm • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave. 

Come celebrate Elliot Park NEIGHBORHOOD DAY: plant trees, enjoy food & yard games with your neighbors and learn what EPNI, your Elliot Park neighborhood org, can do for you!

Monday, May 20th - EPNI Annual Social & Board Elections - ALL are welcome! 

6:00-8:00pm • At Hennepin Healthcare Clinic & Specialty Center, Stillman Community Room, Level 1, 715 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Free parking available in the Hennepin Healthcare Clinic underground garage; enter on Park Ave. between 8th and 9th Streets; and take the elevator to the first floor for the event.

ALL are welcome! Come join your neighbors to celebrate Elliot Park, hear EPNI's annual report, and vote in the Board election. Interested in running for a volunteer Board seat to serve your Elliot Park neighborhood? Details below; or learn more on our website, click HERE to apply or contact EPNI at [email protected] or call/text us at (612) 234-2280 with your questions.

Do you have a suggestion or question for Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc.? Email [email protected] or text / call (612) 234-2280 and we will get back to you soon!

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May Community Calendar 

Monday, May 6th - Ward 6 City Councilmember Jamal Osman Community Office Hours • 3:00-4:00pm • At Lutunji's Palate, 1400 Park. Ave S. #1010

Come have a chat with your Ward 6 Councilmember Jamal Osman - The first & last Monday of each month, 3-4pm!

Thursday, May 9th - League of Women Voters May Civic Buzz: Civic Education & Engagement in Minneapolis Public Schools: The Student Voice • 7:00-8:30pm • At Bryn Mawr Elementary, 252 Upton Ave S.  

Featuring Dr. Aimee Fearing, Senior Officer of Academics with Minneapolis Public Schools, and a panel of Minneapolis high school students. The program will include an overview of the current civic education curriculum as well as insights on civic education and involvement from the latest generation of students.

** Also - Check out the League of Women Voters Minneapolis first article in its 2024 Democracy Series: "Disinformation: How it Impacts Elections and What We Can Do About It"

Friday, May 10th - "Boots on the Ground:" FREE National Virtual Summit on Racial Health Equity in Substance Use Disorder 8:30am-4:45pm (CST) • Required registration HERE 

Sponsored by the Twin Cities Recovery Project, University of Minnesota's Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, Recovery Research Institute, Black Faces Black Voices and Opioid Response Network: Boots on the Ground will, through a Black Community lens, explore the power of innovative, community-based approaches to help people with addiction/opioid use disorder. Learn more & register HERE.

Saturday, May 11th - "Peace in the World" -- A Musical Call for Peace • 12:00-5:00pm • At Loring Park Community Center, 1382 Willow Street                                

Featuring JD Steele & Mill City Singers, Sarah M. Greer & Dean Magraw, Mark Stillman, Ukraine Village Band & Colin Monette.  

Tuesday, May 14th - 1st Precinct Open House • 11:00am-2:00pm • At First Precinct, 19 N. 4th Street

Join for a noon snack and interesting and interactive outdoor displays and information, to learn more about your Minneapolis Police Department.

Thursday, May 16th - Metro Transit "As You Go" Campaign: Celebrate Bike Week Event • 9:00-10:30am • At Commons Park, 425 Portland Ave S.

Saturday, May 18th - Teddy Bear Clinic FREE Family Event • 9:00am-3:00pm • Hennepin HealthCare & Specialty Center, 715 S. 8th Street, 1st Floor.                 

Free parking is available in the Hennepin Healthcare Clinic & Specialty Center underground garage. Parking entrance is at 821 Park Ave on Park Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets. Take elevator to first floor for event.

Take the scare out of emergency care! Bring your kids and their teddy bear (or other stuffed animal), for your kiddos to participate in fun and interactive activity stations, like stitching loose seams, splinting broken limbs, see a real ambulance, and visit safety stations, including free bike helmets & fittings (while supplies last) - must be present to be fitted and received. Learn more & register HERE.

Saturday, May 18th - JazzClectic FREE Concert Series • 12:45-2:30pm • Outside Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd Street  

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, June 4th - Renter's Rights Resource Fair + Free Lunch • 10:30am-1:30pm • At Public Service Building, 1st floor, 505 S. 4th Ave.

The resource fair brings together staff from the Department of Regulatory Services and community organizations to connect with renters and property owners. Bring your questions, find help in overcoming common renting issues, and learn about renter rights and how the City works with property owners and tenants to ensure safe and quality housing.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 8th - Adventurama: An Amazing Urban Adventure Supporting Hennepin Healthcare • 9:30am-12:30pm • Start and end in Commons Park, 425 Portland Ave. S.

Join the Adventure on June 8. Register HERE for an amazing urban adventure supporting Hennepin Healthcare. Pick your partner to solve clues, complete challenges, and capture photos. Your journey begins in Commons Park and continues to 10 pit stops within a three-mile loop of HCMC. Enjoy a fun day out making a difference for the patients served by Hennepin Healthcare. Learn more & register HERE.

EPNI Updates

We're seeking new Elliot Park Neighborhood board members!

A more broadly representative EPNI Board strengthens our Elliot Park neighborhood! 

The volunteer EPNI Board currently has up to 9 vacancies (up to 6 resident vacancies, and 3 organizational vacancies), to be elected at the Elliot Park Annual Social & Board Elections, on Monday, May 20th, 6-8pm, at the Hennepin Healthcare & Specialty Clinic, Stillman Community Room, Level 1, 715 S. 8th Street. 

We're looking for people invested in the Elliot Park neighborhood to bring vibrancy and passion to our work. You'd be supporting the Staff and Board of Directors in shaping our vision and policy for the neighborhood.

We're especially seeking residents of the neighborhood, but you are also eligible if you represent a business or organization based in Elliot Park.

How to Run for the EPNI Board:

To apply, fill out this quick online application form (also includes a Board Description) HERE. You can also print and complete a PDF version of the application (HERE), to be dropped off or mailed to EPNI, 802 S. 10th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404. 

In order to be included in the EPNI Board Elections Voting Guide, your application must be received by 11:59pm on Sunday, May 19th. Otherwise, applicants may choose to “run from the floor” at the Board Elections on Monday, May 20th, 6:00pm-8:00pm, at the Hennepin Healthcare & Specialty Center, Stillman Community Room, Level 1, 715 S. 8th Street.

Want to learn more about leading change in Elliot Park neighborhood through Board service? We'd love to connect with you to answer your questions. Reach out to us to get your Board service questions answered at [email protected] or call/text us at (612) 234-2280.

Plant Trees + Seeds for Elliot Park Connection in May:

New dates after rain delay -- Join the 2024 Elliot Park Canopy Tree Planting Project on Friday 5/10 & Saturday 5/11!

The Mpls DID and EPNI are partnering to plant up to 200 trees in the Elliot Park Neighborhood this April & May, and we are looking for volunteers! Tree planting and tree care opportunities will be available throughout the Spring and Summer.

Overall Project Description

The Elliot Park One Tree Planted project is a partnership between the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District and the Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc and is funded by the One Tree Planted urban forestry fund. This project aims to plant up to 250 trees in the Elliot Park neighborhood in 2024, increasing tree canopy cover in an area of historic injustice and ensuring all Minneapolis residents have access to the numerous benefits of trees. The success of this project relies greatly on community support and engagement and volunteer opportunities for tree planting, tree care, and neighborhood outreach are available for 2024 and beyond. 

Tree Planting Event Description

Break ground on the Elliot Park One Tree Planted project and volunteer to plant with us!  Each event will start with an orientation on proper tree planting before groups are dispersed to plant in different zones across the neighborhood. Volunteer activities will include digging holes, planting trees, watering trees, and applying mulch. It takes a team of 6 people approximately an hour to plant 4 trees, so bring your friends!

Interested? Check out this map of planting sites & Sign Up HERE to volunteer at any of these three Spring Tree Planting neighborhood events: training & free food, TapMpls water provided!

Friday, May 10th, 9:00am-12:00pm • At Franklin Steele Park, 1600 S. Portland Ave. 

Friday, May 10th, 1:00pm-4:00pm • At Franklin Steele Park, 1600 S. Portland Ave.

Saturday, May 11th, 9:00am-12:00pm • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave.

** NEIGHBORHOOD DAY Celebration: In addition to tree planting, come celebrate City-wide Neighborhood Day in Elliot Park: Also enjoy food & yard games with your neighbors and learn what EPNI, your Elliot Park neighborhood org, can do for you!

THANK YOU to all our neighbors who made our April 20th Elliot Park Earth Day Neighborhood Cleanup a Success!

Elliot Park came together to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 20th! THANK YOU to the more than 65 residents, organization and business partners who came together on a chilly Saturday morning to clean up and care for our Elliot Park neighborhood!

Want to Lead or Join a Neighborhood Connection, Care & Cleanup Walk this summer?  Sign up HERE!

Understanding that our neighborhood care and clean-up needs continue, EPNI will host monthly Neighborhood Connection, Care & Cleanup Walks all are welcome to join throughout the summer (dates forthcoming!) We additionally invite neighbors to sign up to lead their own small walks, so together, we can cover more ground in keeping Elliot Park well cared for. We'll provide training & supplies and, you let us know what additional support you may need, if any -- teamwork makes the dream work!

Sign up HERE to let us know when and how you'd like to join or lead a walk, or reach out with questions! 

2024 Elliot Park Quick Resident Survey: 5 Questions, 10 Minutes --  Let YOUR Voice Be Heard - Survey HERE!

"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." – Margaret J. Wheatley

EPNI Renter's Corner

Renter's Rights Resource Fair + Free Lunch: June 4th, 10:30am-1:30pm!

Whether you’re new to Minneapolis, a college student or a lifelong renter, come join us for the 2024 Renter Rights Resource Fair.

Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (A free meal and interpretation services will be available.)

Location: Minneapolis Public Service Building (first floor), 505 S 4^th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415

The resource fair brings together staff from the Department of Regulatory Services and community organizations to connect with renters and property owners. Bring your questions, find help in overcoming common renting issues, and learn about renter rights and how the City works with property owners and tenants to ensure safe and quality housing.

Hosted by the Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services—protecting the health, safety and welfare of residents by regulating, inspecting and enforcing laws and ordinances.

311: Did You Know . . .?

 Report rental issues to 311

Contact 311 to report rental housing issues or speak to a housing liaison. You can also track complaints online on the 311 property complaint dashboard.

(Please mind the gap -- keep scrolling to get past the inexplicable formatting gap - more below!)

City & Community Updates

Elliot Park Playground & Park Improvements SURVEY

 

Ongoing Notices & Opportunities: 

City of Minneapolis Notice: 45-Day Public Comment Period - Proposed NRP Policy Change

This 45-day public comment period, as authorized by the NRP Policy Board, in regards to updating the NRP Policy on housing expenditures.  Currently, the NRP Phase 2 program funds must be spent on housing related activities due to Minnesota State NRP Law. After detailed research, both the Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) and Development Finance Division (DFD) of the Finance and Property Services Department have determined the program as a whole will meet the state law threshold of 52.5% of all NRP funding to be expended on housing related activities. Therefore, the NRP Policy Board has initiated a 45-day public comment period to receive feedback on removing this policy restriction.

Essentially, this action would allow neighborhood organizations the ability to move all of their remaining funds into any approved neighborhood strategy. Compliance with the housing expenditure restriction would be removed.

Click HERE to read a memorandum further explaining the actions being updated. Please send any comments by May 8, 2024 as the NRP Policy Board will vote on this action on May 9, 2024.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out directly to Steven Gallagher, Neighborhood Program Manager, City of Minneapolis – Neighborhood and Community Relations: Office: 612.673.2905 l Cell: 612.518.8743 or Email: [email protected]

Food Shelf Generalist Volunteers Still Needed to Support Agate's Shelf of Hope

By becoming a Food Shelf Generalist, you are joining hands with a team of people who believe that all human beings deserve food and their basic needs met. You work directly with the people you are helping, face-to-face, building a caring and connective community. Every week, we serve over 100 families and individuals from Elliot Park and the surrounding communities.

After a tragic fire and a year of repairs, the Shelf of Hope food shelf has returned with a wide-open room that is set up like a grocery store. It's open at 10:00AM on Wednesdays for all to come inside and pick out what they want!  We're looking for people to help serve their community on Mondays (prep, 8:30a-1:00pm) and Wednesdays (open hours, 8:30am-2:00pm) at the Shelf of Hope, 714 Park Ave.

Volunteers must pass a background check, and be interviewed, and receive staff approval before starting. More details HERE. If you are interested, contact the Volunteer Manager: Noah Chan | 612 327 6389 | [email protected]. 

Want a free ride & a cleaner bus stop?  Adopt-a-Stop!

WHAT: Individuals and groups can "adopt" a Metro Transit bus stop to help keep it clean and cared for, and alert Metro Transit staff to special maintenance needs and reporting vandalism or suspicious activity.  WHY: Help everyone have a safer ride experience and and get 10 free rides each month! HOW: Learn more and apply online for Metro Transit Adopt-A-Stop program HERE. Want to partner through EPNI to Adopt-a-Stop? Come talk about it at the Land Use & Transportation committee meeting, or contact us at [email protected] or text/call 612-234-2280.

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